1557.73 
Gr-7 
c .  3 


IL 


I 


STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 

DEPARTMENT  OF  REGISTRATION  AND  EDUCATION 

A.  M.  SHELTON,  Director 

DIVISION  OF  THE 

STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 

M.  M.  LEIGHTON.  Chief 

REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7 

FURTHER  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  GEOLOGY  OF  THE 
ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD,  WITH  A  REVISED 
STRUCTURE  MAP 


BY 


GAIL  F.  MOULTON 


Linois  documen 

JhN  i  3  iy«8 


LINOIS  STATE  LIBRAR 


PRINTED  BY  AUTHORITY  OB'  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 


URBANA,  ILLINOIS 
1925 


1S2L 


U  , 
tvT 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2018  with  funding  from 
University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


https://archive.org/details/furthercontributOOmoul 


STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 

DEPARTMENT  OF  REGISTRATION  AND  EDUCATION 

A.  M.  SHELTON,  Director 

DIVISION  OF  THE 

STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 

M.  M.  LEIGHTON,  Chief 


REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7 


FURTHER  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  GEOLOGY  OF  THE 
ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD,  WITH  A  REVISED 
STRUCTURE  MAP 


BY 

GAIL  F.  MOULTON 


PRINTED  BY  AUTHORITY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 


CRBANA,  ILLINOIS 
1925 

ILLINOIS  STATE  LIBRARY 


1129  00476  5715 


STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 

DEPARTMENT  OF  REGISTRATION  AND  EDUCATION 

DIVISION  OF  THE 

STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 

M.  M.  LEIGHTON.  Chief 


Committee  of  the  Board  of  Natural  Resources 

and  Conservation 

A.  M.  Sheltox,  Chairman 

Director  of  Registration  and  Education 

Kexdric  C.  Babcock 

Representing  the  President  of  the  Uni¬ 
versity  of  Illinois 

Edsox  S.  Bastix 
Geologist 


Schxepp  &  Barnes,  Printers 
Springfield.  III. 

1925 


38572 — 3M 


^&7'73 

(rc~7 

c-  '3 


Further  Contributions  to  the  Geology  of  the  Allendale  OiJ 
Field,  with  a  Revised  Structure  Mup 

By  Gail  F.  Moulton 


OUTLINE 

PAGE 

Introduction  .  5 

General  statement  .  5 

Topography  and  culture .  5 

History  of  development  .  5 

Acknowledgments  .  6 

Geology  .  7 

Stratigraphy  . -> .  7 

Consolidated  rocks  .  7 

C'onsolidted  rocks  .  7 

Pennsylvanian  system  .  7 

Mississippian  system  .  8 

Chester  series  .  8 

Lower  Mississippian  subsystem  .  8 

Producing  horizons  .  9 

Bridgeport  sand  .  9 

Biehl  and  Jordan  sands .  9 

Structural  geology  .  11 

Oil  and  gas  accumulation  . 11 

Plan  for  systematic  prospecting .  14 

Localities  for  further  prospecting  .  15 

Oil  field  water  investigations  .  17 

General  results  .  18 

Expression  of  analyses  .  18 

Comparison  of  water  analyses  from  various  horizons .  22 

Cooperation  with  the  Illinois  State  Geological  Survey .  26 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

PLATE  PAGE 

I.  Map  of  the  Allendale  area  showing  structure  of  the  top  of  the  cap-rock 
of  the  Biehl  sand,  locations  of  some  drill  holes,  producing  areas, 

and  areas  considered  favorable  for  prospecting . Pocket 

II.  Graphic  well  logs  showing  structure  and  changes  in  the  rock  section 

along  the  line  A-E  indicated  in  Plate  I . Pocket 

III.  Cross-section  of  the  producing  zone  across  secs.  22,  23,  and  24,  T.  1  N., 

R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Twp.)  showing  the  variations  in  sand  con¬ 
ditions  and  structure  . Pocket 

IV.  Sections  showing  structure  and  rock  changes  in  Chester  beds  as  de¬ 

termined  from  borings  along  the  section  lines  A-B  and  C-D  indi¬ 
cated  on  Plate  I  . Pocket 


(3) 


FIGURE 

1.  The  Schick  lease  west  of  Allendale  showing  topography  typical  of  the 

Allendale  oil  field  .  5 

2.  The  Della  Wright  lease  west  of  Allendale .  6 

3.  Photograph  of  grains  of  coarse  sand  from  a  large  producer .  12 

4.  Photograph  of  grains  of  fine  sand  from  a  small  producer .  13 

5.  Photograph  of  grains  of  siltstone  cap-rock .  14 

6.  Diagram  to  illustrate  distribution  of  oil  and  water  in  a  sand  lens....  16 

7.  Graphic  analysis  of  water  sample  from  fresh  water  sand  in  the  Della 

Wright  water  well  .  18 

8.  Graphic  analyses  of  water  samples  from  shallow  salt  water  sands  in 

Wabash  County  .  21 

9.  Graphic  analyses  of  water  samples  from  the  Bridgeport  sand .  22 

10.  Graphic  analyses  of  water  samples  from  the  Buchanan  sands  .  23 

11.  Graphic  analyses  of  water  samples  from  the  Biehl  sand  .  24 

12.  Graphic  analysis  of  water  sample  from  deep  Chester  sand  in  the  Otis 

Matheny  well  .  26 

TABLES 

PAGE 

1.  Analysis  of  typical  water  sample  from  the  Buchanan  sand  in  the  Wint¬ 

ers  No.  1  well .  19 

2.  Analysis  of  typical  water  sample  from  the  Biehl  sand  in  the  Della 

Wright  well  No.  1 .  20 


(4) 


INTRODUCTION 


General  Statement 

The  Allendale  oil  field  is  composed  of  several  scattered  pools  in  Wabash 
County  in  the  vicinity  of  Allendale.  During  the  past  year,  development  has 
resulted  in  extensions  of  the  old  pool  and  it  is  probable  that  intelligent 
prospecting  may  reveal  additional  small  pools.  With  a  view  to  lending  all 
assistance  possible  based  on  the  results  of  a  recent  investigation  by  the  Illi¬ 
nois  State  Geological  Survey,  this  report  is  made  available  for  use  in  further 
prospecting  in  this  area.  It  is  the  purpose  of  the  report,  therefore,  to  give 
a  revised  interpretation  of  the  geologic  structure  based  on  the  data  derived 
from  recent  drilling,  thereby  indicating  certain  areas  in  which  further 
drilling  is  justified;  to  point  out  certain  precautions  that  should  be  taken  to 
avoid  drilling  some  wells  which  would  be  dry  because  of  sand  conditions ; 
and  to  give  some  of  the  preliminary  results  of  the  investigation  of  the  oil 
field  waters  in  this  territory. 

Topography  and  Culture 

The  Wabash  County  region  is  in  general  gently  rolling  with  few  steep 
slopes  except  in  the  eastern  part  near  Wabash  River.  It  is  drained  by  a 


Pig.  1.  The  Schick  lease  in  sec.  5,  T.  1  N„  R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Twp.),  west  of 
Allendale  showing  topography  typical  of  the  Allendale  oil  field. 


system  of  creeks  tributary  to  the  Wabash.  Graded  roads  are  fairly  numer¬ 
ous  and  make  the  area  accessible  except  in  the  rainy  season.  The  typical 
topography  of  the  oil  fields  is  shown  in  figure  1. 

Mt.  Carmel,  the  county  seat,  Allendale,  and  Friendsville  are  the  prin¬ 
cipal  towns  of  Wabash  County.  Most  of  the  oil  pools  are  located  near 
Allendale,  from  which  equipment  and  supplies  are  sent  out.  The  region  is 
served  by  the  Cleveland,  Cincinnati,  Chicago,  and  St.  Louis  Railroad. 

History  of  Development 

The  first  producing  well  in  the  Allendale  field  was  drilled  in  1912  on 
the  Adam  Biehl  farm  in  the  NE.  cor.  of  the  SE.  jkj  sec.  4,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W. 
(Wabash  Township).  This  well  obtained  an  initial  production  of  650  barrels 


5 


6 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


from  a  sand  at  about  1400  feet  and  started  a  period  of  intensive  drilling 
which  resulted  in  the  development  of  a  producing  area  about  iy2  miles  long 
and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide,  lying  mainly  in  secs.  4  and  9,  T.  1  X.,  R. 
12  W.  (Wabash  Township). 

For  several  years  after  the  close  of  the  aggressive  drilling  campaign 
early  in  1913,  only  a  small  amount  of  drilling  was  done  in  Wabash  County 
until  the  discovery,  in  1922,  of  a  flowing  well  on  the  Della  Wright  farm  in 
sec.  8,  T.  1  X.,  R.  12  W.  (fig.  2).  Since  then,  an  active  drilling  program 
has  resulted  in  the  development  of  local  pools  in  sec.  8,  along  the  common 
section  line  between  secs.  15  and  22,  in  sec.  18,  and  in  secs.  23  and  24  of 
T.  1  X.,  R.  12  W.  (Friendsville  and  Wabash  townships),  all  of  which  are 
indicated  in  Plate  I. 


Fig.  2.  The  Della  Wright  lease  in  sec.  8,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Twp.), 
west  of  Allendale.  The  rig  in  the  foreground  is  that  of  the  Della  Wright  No.  2 
well,  drilled  following  the  discovery  well  of  1922. 


During  the  early  drilling  of  this  latest  development,  26  dry  holes  and  18 
producers  were  obtained.  In  1924,  56  tests  were  drilled,  of  which  40  were 
producing  wells  with  an  average  initial  production  of  85  barrels.  During 
the  first  half  of  1925,  there  has  been  a  considerable  increase  in  the  per¬ 
centage  of  dry  holes. 

o  J 

Acknowledgments 

Previous  reports  on  the  Allendale  area  have  been  prepared  by  Dr.  J.  L. 
Rich,1  and  Mr.  D.  M.  Collingwood,2  from  which  material  has  been  freely 
used  in  the  preparation  of  this  paper  and  is  gratefully  acknowledged. 

During  1924  and  1925  the  author  was  assisted  by  Mr.  C.  R.  Clark,  who 
collected  field  data,  and  studied  well  cutting  samples  in  the  laboratory.  The 
operators  in  the  field  gave  generous  cooperation  in  the  matter  of  keeping 
careful  logs,  and  saving  well  cuttings  and  water  samples,  with  the  result  that 
much  valuable  information  has  been  obtained  for  use  in  interpreting  the 
stratigraphy  and  structure  of  the  region.  Particular  thanks  are  due  Messrs. 

1  Rich,  John  L.,  Allendale  oil  field:  Ill.  State  Geol.  Survey  Bull.  31,  pp.  57-68,  1914. 

Rich,  John  L.,  Oil  and  gas  in  the  Vincennes  quadrangle:  Ill.  State  Geol.  Survey 

Bull.  33,  pp.  147-175,  1918. 

2  Collingwood,  D.  M.,  Extension  of  the  Allendale  oil  field:  Ill.  State  Geol.  Survey 
Press  Bulletin,  May  17,  1924. 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


7 


J.  W.  Whiteside,  Joe  Young,  Jr.,  Hartman  and  Parriot,  Leavitt  Gray,  George 
Whiston,  Charles  Bement,  Bill  Kerns,  Charles  Blosser,  E.  G.  Kendall,  Mc- 
Colpin  Brothers,  and  many  other  operators  and  drillers  for  their  help  in 
giving  information. 

GEOLOGY 

Stratigraphy 

UNCONSOLIDATED  DEPOSITS 

The  area  is  covered  generally  by  unconsolidated  deposits  varying  from 
10  to  100  feet  in  thickness,  composed  of  sands,  gravels,  and  pebbly  clays  of 
glacial  origin,  and  of  fine  yellow  silt  or  ‘‘loess”  which  is  the  result  of  wind 
deposition.  Due  to  the  fact  that  these  materials  were  brought  into  the  region 
long  after  the  folding  which  formed  structures  suitable  for  oil  accumula¬ 
tion,  the  character  of  the  surface  and  the  surface  deposits  have  no  relation 
to  conditions  which  determine  the  accumulation  of  oil  and  gas. 


CONSOLIDATED  ROCKS 

The  consolidated  rocks  of  the  region  which  have  been  reached  in  drilling 
belong  to  the  Pennsylvanian  and  Mississippian  systems.  The  rocks  of  the 
Pennsylvanian  system,  about  1300  feet  in  thickness,  overlie  the  rocks  of  the 
Mississippian  system.  Nearly  all  of  the  wells  drilled  pass  through  the  Penn¬ 
sylvanian  strata  and  enter  the  Mississippian  rocks,  but  no  well  has  been 
reported  to  have  penetrated  all  of  the  beds  of  the  Mississippian  system  in 
Wabash  County. 

PENNSYLVANIAN  SYSTEM 

The  rocks  of  the  Pennsylvanian  system  consist  mainly  of  shales  and 
sandstones  interbedded  with  a  few  thin  beds  of  limestone.  There  are  at 
least  two  zones  at  which  coal  is  likely  to  be  found.  The  sandstones  are  most 
common  in  the  upper  and  lower  parts  of  the  system ;  the  middle  portion  is 
dominantly  shale.  Both  sandstone  and  shale  beds,  as  much  as  200  feet  in 
thickness,  are  reported  in  many  of  the  well  records. 

The  three  formations  of  the  Pennsylvanian  system  which  have  been 
generally  recognized  in  Illinois,  namely — the  Pottsville,  Carbondale,  and 
McLeansboro — are  probably  present  in  the  Wabash  County  fields.  A  coal 
believed  to  be  the  equivalent  of  the  Herrin  (No.  6)  coal  of  central  Illinois  is 
found  at  depths  varying  from  650  to  750  feet.  On  the  basis  of  this  correla¬ 
tion,  the  beds  of  consolidated  rocks  above  that  coal  are  placed  in  the  Mc¬ 
Leansboro  group. 

The  Carbondale  and  Pottsville  formations  constitute  the  middle  and 
lowest  portions  of  the  Pennsylvanian  system,  respectively.  However,  these 
groups  cannot  be  separated  readily  in  this  region,  because  of  the  uncertainty 
in  determining  the  horizon  of  the  No.  2  coal  which  lies  at  the  bottom  of  the 


8 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


Carbondale  formation.  The  lower  thick  sand,  known  to  the  drillers  as  the 
‘‘Buchanan'’  is  probably  the  equivalent  of  the  beds  which  have  been  called 
Pottsville  in  other  parts  of  Illinois.  This  sand  is  present  generally,  but  where 
it  is  absent  or  very  thin,  the  contact  between  the  Pennsylvanian  and  under¬ 
lying  Mississippian  is  placed  at  the  top  of  the  uppermost  important  lime¬ 
stone. 

MISSISSIPPIAN  SYSTEM 

Chester  series  ( Upper  Mississippian  subsystem) . — The  Chester  series 
is  the  uppermost  part  of  the  Mississippian  system.  Very  few  of  the  wells 
in  this  area  have  been  drilled  through  it,  although  the  wells  in  Lawrence 
County  to  the  north  which  produce  from  the  McClosky  sand  enter  the  lower 
part  of  the  Mississippian  system.  Some  of  the  distinguishing  features  of 
the  Chester  rocks,  as  compared  with  the  Pennsylvanian,  are  the  greater 
importance  of  limestones,  the  occurrence  of  thinner  beds  of  sand,  and  a 
general  absence  of  coal.  This  is  clearly  shown  by  a  comparison  of  the 
graphic  well  logs  in  Plate  II. 

Apparently  there  was  some  folding  and  erosion  of  the  Chester  beds 
before  the  deposition  of  the  Pennsylvanian  beds  and,  as  a  result,  formations 
of  the  Chester  series  including  the  oil  sand  are  found  to  underlie  the  Penn¬ 
sylvanian  beds  at  variable  depths  from  the  Pennsylvanian  contact.  Such 
variations  in  depth  amount  to  100  feet  or  more  in  the  Wabash  County  area. 
This  relation  is  shown  in  Plate  II. 

The  character  of  some  of  the  Chester  beds  below  the  producing  horizon 
is  known  from  the  logs  of  a  few  of  the  deeper  wells.  Of  these,  the  log  of 
the  well  on  the  Otis  Matheny  farm  in  the  XE.  cor.  SY\  .  34  sec.  18,  T.  1  N., 
R.  12  W.  (Friendsville  Township)  is  known  to  be  dependable.  Samples  for 
much  of  the  deeper  portion  of  this  well  were  examined  to  obtain  informa¬ 
tion  in  addition  to  the  driller’s  log.  A  preliminary  correlation  of  the  Chester 
beds  in  Wabash  County  with  the  standard  Chester  section  of  Weller3  is 
indicated  in  the  composite  log  graphically  shown  on  Plate  I.  According  to 
the  present  interpretation,  the  producing  sands  of  the  Chester  in  Wabash 
County  are  equivalent  to  the  Palestine  sand  of  the  standard  Chester  section 
in  Hardin  County.  Since  this  correlation  depends  upon  the  assumption 
that  the  red  beds  found  at  a  depth  of  2033  feet  in  the  Matheny  well  repre¬ 
sent  the  Paint  Creek  formation,  it  is  possible  that  some  revision  may  be 
required  later. 

Loivcr  Mississippian  subsystem. — The  rocks  of  the  Lower  Mississippian 
system  have  not  been  penetrated  in  recent  drilling  in  \\  abash  County.  Prob¬ 
ably  they  consist  largely  of  limestone,  d  he  upper  part,  or  Ste.  Genevieve 
limestone,  has  been  found  to  contain  porous  zones  which  produce  oil  in 

3  Weller,  Stuart.  The  geology  of  Hardin  County  and  the  adjoining  parts  of  Pope 
County:  Ill.  State  Geol.  Survey  Bull.  41,  1920. 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


/ 


9 


Lawrence  County  and  these  same  beds  probably  extend  into  Wabash 
County,  although  the  porous  condition  may  not  persist. 

PRODUCING  HORIZONS 

Three  horizons  known  as  the  Bridgeport,  Biehl,  and  Jordan  sands,  all 
of  which  are  producing  oil  with  comparatively  small  amounts  of  gas,  have 
been  developed  in  Wabash  County. 

Bridgeport  sand. — The  Bridgeport  sand  is  of  Pennsylvanian  age  and  is 
found  at  depths  varying  from  1000  to  1100  feet.  During  the  early  develop¬ 
ment  of  the  Allendale  field,  water  commonly  was  found  in  this  sand.  As 
development  extended  south  and  east  into  secs.  15,  23,  and  24,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12 
W.  (Wabash  Township),  the  Bridgeport  sand  was  found  to  be  more  irreg¬ 
ular,  but  small  showings  of  oil  were  reported  from  it  in  some  of  the  wells. 
The  first  producing  well  from  this  horizon  in  Wabash  County  was  drilled 
in  1924  in  the  SE.  cor.  of  the  NE.  Y\  sec.  23,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Wabash 
Township).  Two  other  wells  from  this  horizon  have  since  been  completed. 

It  is  believed  that  in  the  part  of  the  area  developed  first,  the  Bridgeport 
sand  is  so  open  to  fluid  circulation  that  the  slight  folding  to  which  it  has 
been  subjected  is  not  sufficient  to  trap  the  oil  or  gas.  The  variations  in  sand 
character  in  the  producing  area  assist  in  causing  accumulation  of  oil,  because 
they  here  restrict  the  possibilities  of  fluid  circulation.  In  the  present  pro¬ 
ducing  area,  the  Bridgeport  sand  is  composed  of  fine  angular  grains  loosely 
cemented  by  a  tan  dolomitic  material.  The  production  is  found  principally 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  sand  and  approximately  half  of  the  fluid  pumped  is 
salt  water. 

Biehl  and  Jordan  sands. — T  he  Biehl  and  Jordan  sands  occur  in  the 
same  general  sand  zone  of  the  Chester,  and  are  very  irregular  in  thickness, 
character,  and  occurrence.  Where  both  sands  are  present,  they  are  recog¬ 
nized  by  a  parting  of  shale  which  may  be  as  much  as  fi  to  8  feet  thick.  It 
seems  probable,  however,  that  in  some  places,  the  shale  parting  may  be 
absent,  resulting  in  an  apparent  abnormal  thickness  of  the  sand,  such  as  the 
58-foot  sand  reported  in  the  Della  Wright  well  Xo.  7  in  the  NE.  cor.  NW. 

SE.  JJ  sec.  8,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Township).  The  name  Biehl 
is  generally  applied  to  the  producing  horizon  in  this  area,  because  the  Biehl 
and  Jordan  have  similar  characteristics  and  differentiation  is  not  always  pos¬ 
sible.  Both  sands,  therefore,  will  be  described  as  the  Biehl  sand. 

The  Biehl  sand  is  characterized  by  very  abrupt  changes  in  size  of 
material  and  conditions  of  cementation  with  the  result  that  the  development 
of  the  field  has  been  rather  irregular  and  uncertain.  The  sand  in  some 
places  is  very  coarse  and  loosely  cemented ;  pebbles  nearly  one-fourth  inch 
in  diameter  have  come  from  the  wells  on  the  Wright  farm  in  sec.  8,  T.  1  N., 
R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Township).  In  nearby  wells,  the  sand  was  found  to  be 


10 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


so  tight  and  fine  that  it  produced  neither  oil  nor  water.  Lateral  changes 
from  soft  productive  sand  to  dense  cemented  siltstone,  recorded  as  lime  by 
most  drillers,  are  very  abrupt.  Plate  III  showing  the  details  of  the  produc¬ 
ing  zone  in  some  of  the  wells  in  secs.  22,  23,  and  24,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W. 
(Wabash  Township),  includes  an  area  in  which  several  of  these  abrupt 
changes  occur.  In  sec.  22,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  there  is  considerable  thinning 
of  the  sand  between  well  No.  4  and  well  No.  5  of  the  Smith  lease.  The 
Leek  well  No.  2  found  only  a  thin  sandy  zone.  Other  such  changes  take 
place  both  east  and  west  of  the  Price  farm  in  sec.  22,  west  of  the  Price  farm 
in  sec.  23,  and  near  the  west  quarter  corner  of  sec.  24,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W. 
The  section  (PI.  Ill)  shows  that  the  top  of  the  sand  zone  is  fairly  regular, 
but  that  the  thinning  is  due  mostly  to  a  rise  in  the  surface  on  which  the  sand 
was  deposited. 

Available  information  is  believed  to  indicate  that  the  Biehl  sand  was 
deposited  in  the  distributary  channels  of  a  stream  discharging  into  the  sea. 
These  channels  were  rather  crooked  and  winding,  and  apparently  branched 
in  a  southerly  direction.  When  active  currents  in  them  were  gradually 
slowed  up,  they  deposited  the  coarser  sand  but  carried  the  fine  particles  into 
more  quiet  water.  Apparently  the  time  of  sand  deposition  was  followed 
by  a  condition  of  weaker  currents,  because  the  last  phase  of  deposition 
resulted  in  a  fine  grained  siltstone  which  is  the  present  cap-rock  and  extends 
over  a  much  larger  area  than  does  the  sand.  Although  the  information  now 
obtainable  is  not  sufficient  to  permit  a  definite  conclusion  regarding  the  con¬ 
ditions  of  deposition  of  the  Biehl  sand,  this  hypothesis  seems  to  be  consistent 
with  all  of  the  observed  phenomena. 

It  is  obvious  that  serious  difficulties  attend  an  effort  to  predict  the  trend 
or  occurrence  of  a  sand  body  deposited  under  the  conditions  outlined,  but 
some  information  in  advance  of  drilling  should  be  obtainable  from  the  data 
regarding  nearby  wells.  By  constructing  cross-sections  of  the  producing 
zone  similar  to  Plate  III  and  by  making  measurements  of  the  size  of  grain, 
it  should  be  possible  to  determine  the  direction  in  which  the  sand  becomes 
thinner  and  finer,  once  a  few  wells  have  been  drilled  in  any  given  locality. 
It  will  probably  not  be  possible  to  predict  the  failure  of  the  sand  under  other 
conditions,  but  elimination  of  even  a  few  of  the  dry  holes  will  compensate 
many  times  for  the  additional  trouble  of  keeping  careful  samples  and  exact 
logs. 

As  a  result  of  a  study  of  the  size  and  shape  of  sand  grains  in  the  lab¬ 
oratory,  it  was  found  that  in  many  places  there  was  a  gradual  reduction  in 
the  size  of  grain  in  the  coarsest  part  of  the  sand  and  also  a  thinning  of  the 
coarse  part  of  the  Biehl  zone  toward  the  non-productive  areas.  Some  of 
the  recommendations  for  further  drilling,  which  are  given  later,  are  based  on 
interpretations  of  local  conditions  by  use  of  this  information. 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


11 


Structural  Geology 

Wabash  County  lies  to  the  southwest  of  the  main  producing  fields  of 
Lawrence  County.  In  general,  the  dips  are  rather  gentle  and  average  about 
40  feet  per  mile.  Stronger  west  dips  have  been  determined  a  few  miles 
southeast  of  Lancaster,  located  in  sec.  4,  T.  2  N.,  R.  13  W.  The  principal 
features  of  the  structure  are  the  general  west  dip  which  is  interrupted  by 
several  slight  anticlinal  folds  along  which  a  series  of  small  irregular  domes 
have  been  developed.  These  anticlinal  structures  are  indicated  on  the  map 
(PI.  I)  by  means  of  contours  drawn  on  the  top  of  the  cap-rock  of  the  Biehl 
sand. 

The  principal  fold  of  the  county  as  shown  in  Plate  I  trends  practically 
north-south  in  the  area  north  of  Allendale,  and  seems  to  divide  into  three 
separate  folds  near  Allendale ;  one  with  a  trend  slightly  west  of  south  which 
goes  through  Mt.  Carmel ;  the  second  to  the  east  through  sec.  18,  T.  1  N., 
R.  11  W.,  and  the  third  with  a  trend  slightly  east  of  south  which  crosses 
Wabash  River  into  Indiana.  A  minor  fold  is  located  west  of  Allendale  and 
includes  the  principal  producing  area.  Structural  cross-sections  are  given  in 
Plates  II  and  IV.  It  should  be  observed  that  in  these  graphic  representa¬ 
tions  correlations  of  sand  with  lime  are  made  for  the  Biehl.  This  is  prob¬ 
ably  correct,  as  the  siltstone  phase  of  the  Biehl  is  almost  invariably  logged 
as  lime  by  the  drillers. 

The  contour  lines  on  the  structure  map  (PI.  I  )  show  the  elevation  of 
the  top  of  the  cap-rock  of  the  Biehl  sand  in  feet  below  sea  level.  Further 
drilling  may  reveal  discrepancies  in  portions  of  the  map  in  which  data  are 
not  sufficiently  reliable  to  permit  actual  structural  representation  at  this  time. 
Revision  of  the  map,  based  on  later  drilling  data,  should  be  considered  in 
determining  the  possible  existence  of  other  structures  favorable  for  oil 
accumulation. 

Oil  and  Gas  Accumulation 

The  accumulation  of  oil  and  gas  in  the  Allendale  field  is  governed  by  a 
combination  of  structural  and  sand  conditions.  The  importance  of  locating 
a  well  on  a  high  structural  dome  is  clearly  shown  on  the  Jake  Smith  lease 
in  sec.  22,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Township).  Well  No.  1  struck  the 
sand  rather  low  on  the  west  side  of  the  dome  with  the  result  that  a  large 
amount  of  water  has  been  produced  with  the  oil.  The  later  wells  were 
located  higher  on  the  dome  and  little  water  trouble  was  experienced.  In 
contrast,  well  No.  1  on  the  Leek  farm,  was  located  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
south  and  considerably  down  the  dip  from  the  good  wells,  with  the  result 
that  water  without  a  showing  of  oil  was  obtained. 

Sand  conditions  are  likewise  of  great  importance  in  getting  oil  produc¬ 
tion.  The  total  pore  space  in  the  sandy  body  limits  the  amount  of  oil  present, 


12 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


and  the  size  of  the  grains  determines  the  rate  of  production  under  uniform 
conditions  of  sand  thickness,  sorting,  and  cementation,  and  of  oil  character, 
pressure,  and  temperature.  The  photographs  of  the  grains  of  sand  from  a 
big  producer  (fig.  3),  a  small  producer  (fig.  4),  and  of  the  grains  of  silt- 
stone  in  the  non-productive  cap-rock  (fig.  5),  serve  to  illustrate  the  variation 
which  may  occur.  As  the  conditions  under  which  the  fine  grains  accumulated 


Fig.  3.  Photograph  of  grains  of  coarse  sand  from  a  large  producer. 

25  X  natural  size. 


seem  to  have  been  favorable  for  extensive  cementation,  the  effect  of  the  var¬ 
iation  in  size  of  grains  in  controlling  production  is  increased. 

Coarse  bodies  of  sand  of  limited  extent  are  desirable  reservoirs  for  two 
reasons.  In  the  first  place,  they  give  a  larger  initial  production  than  fine 
sand  does  under  similar  conditions,  for  under  uniform  conditions  with  sorted 
grains,  the  flow  capacity  increases  in  proportion  to  the  square  of  the  diameter 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


13 


of  the  grains.4  Accordingly,  if  the  size  of  grains  is  doubled,  the  rate  of  flow 
is  four  times  as  great.  In  the  second  place,  coarse  sands  generally  insure 
the  recovery  of  a  larger  fraction  of  the  oil  because  of  the  free  flow  from  all 
parts  of  the  sand  body  to  the  well.  Very  free  communication  of  fluid  pres¬ 
sure  through  the  open  coarse  sands  has  been  shown  several  times  by  the  effect 
of  a  newly  completed  well  on  the  production  of  a  nearby  older  one.  After 


Fig.  4.  Photograph  of  grains  of  fine  sand  from  a  small  producer. 

25  X  natural  size. 


the  second  well  on  the  Della  Wright  lease  in  sec.  8,  T.  1  N.,  R.  J2  W. 
(Wabash  Township)  had  been  completed,  the  production  of  the  first  well 
dropped  so  abruptly  that  the  combined  production  of  the  two  wells  was  only 
about  one  and  a  half  times  as  great  as  that  of  the  first  well  alone.  Well  No.  2 

4  King-,  F.  IT.,  Movements  of  ground  water:  19th  Ann.  Rept.  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey, 
Pt.  II,  p.  241,  1898. 


14 


ALLEXDALE  OIL  FIELD 


on  the  Price  farm  in  sec.  22,  T.  1  X.,  R.  12  \Y  .(Wabash  Township)  had  a 
similar  effect  on  well  No.  1,  and  the  W.  F.  Courier  well  in  sec.  24,  T.  1  N., 
R.  12  W.  caused  a  very  marked  drop  in  the  production  of  the  Winters  No.  1 
well  nearby.  Open  sands  of  this  character  apparently  favor  a  high  per  cent 
recovery. 


Fro.  5.  Photograph  of  grains  of  siltstone  cap  rock. 

25  X  natural  size. 


Plan  for  Systematic  Prospecting 

Since  both  structural  conditions  and  local  sand  conditions  must  be  fav¬ 
orable  in  order  to  bring  about  oil  accumulation,  the  obvious  procedure  in 
prospecting  is  to  find  a  suitable  structure,  and  then  to  test  various  parts  of 
it  to  find  the  proper  type  of  sand.  The  variation  in  the  character  of  the 
water  and  the  disappearance  of  the  sand,  locally,  indicate  that  the  sand  bodies 
do  not  have  connection  permitting  the  ready  flow  of  oil  and  water.  Under 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


15 


these  conditions,  oil  will  be  found  in  the  highest  part  of  each  of  the  sand 
lenses. 

If  a  sand  lens  crosses  an  anticlinal  axis,  the  place  of  intersection  is  the 
highest  point  for  the  sand  in  that  locality.  Therefore,  prospecting  to  find 
a  sand  lens  can  be  best  undertaken  along  what  has  been  determined  as  the 
anticlinal  axis  or  crest.  Figure  G  indicates  the  significance  of  the  various 
possible  results  of  drilling  relative  to  the  structure  and  to  the  location  of  the 
productive  zone.  If  the  first  well  found  no  sand,  it  would  probably  be  best 
to  move  a  short  distance  down  the  dip  of  the  anticlinal  axis,  as  in  well  No.  1 
in  figure  6.  If  the  first  well  found  water  with  no  oil,  as  in  well  No.  2,  the 
next  well  should  be  drilled  a  considerable  distance  up  the  dip.  If  the  first 
well  found  both  water  and  oil  in  the  sand,  the  lower  part  of  the  sand  should 
be  cemented  and  the  next  well  should  be  drilled  up  the  dip  at  least  one  loca¬ 
tion.  If  the  first  well  found  oil,  further  drilling  should  be  done  nearby,  and 
both  the  structure  and  the  change  in  character  of  the  sand  lenses  carefully 
observed  and  used  as  a  guide  in  the  location  of  further  tests.  If  the  first 
well  found  a  fine  sand  with  only  a  show  of  oil,  as  in  well  No.  5  in  figure  6, 
the  logical  move  would  be  to  drill  lower  on  the  axis  of  the  fold  a  short  dis¬ 
tance  from  the  first  test. 

Localities  for  Future  Prospecting 

Several  favorable  areas  in  the  Allendale  region  remain  inadequately 
tested.  One  of  the  most  promising  of  these  is  the  plunging  anticline  which 
extends  across  the  southeastern  part  of  sec.  36,  T.  2  N.,  R.  12  W.,  and  the 
northwestern  part  of  sec.  1,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  immediately  north  of  Allen¬ 
dale.5  The  Biehl  sand  found  in  the  Compton  well  in  the  NW.  Ct  sec-  12, 
T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  was  very  open  and  suitable  for  giving  a  large  production. 
If  this  sand  contains  oil  farther  north  on  the  structure  and  does  not  change 
much  in  character,  large  wells  could  be  expected.  Further  prospecting 
according  to  the  plan  outlined  is  deserved  in  this  area,  which  is  designated  as 
No.  1  in  Plate  I. 

A  second  area  for  further  prospecting  is  the  plunging  anticline  east  of 
Patton,  which  is  located  in  sec.  33,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  indicated  in  Plate  I 
as  shaded  area  No.  2.  This  anticline  seems  to  be  fairly  well  defined  and 
although  it  has  not  been  productive  in  the  southern  part  where  tested,  there 
is  probably  considerable  chance  of  finding  production  here. 

5  During-  the  time  that  this  report  was  in  press,  area  No.  1  (PI.  1)  first  recom¬ 
mended  by  D.  M.  Collingwood  in  the  State  Geological  Survey  Press  bulletin  in  1924, 
was  tested.  The  first  well  was  drilled  on  the  Price  farm  in  sec.  36,  T.  2  N.,  R.  12  W. 
and  gave  only  a  very  small  production  because  of  the  dense  character  of  the  sand 
found  there.  The  second  well  was  drilled  on  the  S.  J.  Stillwell  farm  in  the  NW.  SE. 
!/4  sec.  1,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  and  produced  more  than  500  barrels  a  day.  New  drilling 
was  greatly  stimulated  by  this  discovery.  Later  wells  were  obtained  in  the  vicinity, 
but  many  of  them  were  smaller  than  the  first  well.  Present  drilling  will  test  other 
parts  of  the  favorable  area  so  that  during  the  next  few  months  the  producing  area 
which  can  be  expected  should  be  well  defined. 


16 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


1  Missed  sand.  4.  Sand  contains  oil.  Good  producer. 

2.  Sand  contains  water.  5.  Fine  sand.  Small  oil  production. 

3.  Sand  contains  water  and  oil. 

Fig.  6.  Diagram  to  illustrate  distribution  of  oil  and  water  in  a  sand  lens  and  to  indicate  the  significance  of  results 

of  drilling. 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


17 


A  third  area  to  be  tested  further  is  located  along  the  anticline  which 
crosses  parts  of  secs.  17,  18,  19,  and  30,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  and  sec.  24, 
T.  1  N.,  R.  13  W.,  a  short  distance  east  of  Friendsville,  indicated  on  Plate  I 
as  shaded  area  No.  3.  The  presence  of  anticlinal  structure  is  not  so  definitely 
established  as  in  the  other  areas  described,  hut  unless  the  logs  of  three  wells 
located  in  the  structural  depression  shown  east  of  area  No.  3  (PI.  I)  have 
been  incorrectly  interpreted,  there  is  structure  favorable  for  the  accumulation 
of  oil  within  this  area.  Because  of  the  slight  uncertainty  in  the  interpreta¬ 
tion,  the  first  wells  drilled  should  be  used  as  a  careful  check  of  the  structural 
conditions  before  proceeding  with  a  complete  program  of  testing. 

There  is  some  prospect  of  finding  production  in  some  of  the  deeper 
sands.  The  deep  well  on  the  Otis  Matheny  farm  in  the  NW.  34 ,  SW.  34 
sec.  18,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Friendsville  Township)  struck  several  sands 
below  the  Biehl  sand  which  might  produce  oil  in  wells  located  on  more  fav¬ 
orable  parts  of  the  structure.  Before  hope  of  deeper  production  is  abandoned 
entirely,  deep  tests  to  the  Ste.  Genevieve  lime  should  he  drilled  on  the  high 
parts  of  the  local  producing  domes.  It  seems  entirely  probable  that  a  test 
well  might  find  production  in  a  deeper  sand  in  this  area,  because  they  have 
not  yet  been  tested  on  favorable  structures  in  Wabash  County  and  deep  sands 
have  been  found  to  be  productive  in  Lawrence  County. 

In  addition  to  the  areas  which  have  been  recommended  for  further 
testing  on  a  basis  of  structural  conditions,  two  other  smaller  areas  are  sug¬ 
gested  as  a  result  of  sand  examinations  and  from  a  consideration  of  the 
conditions  of  sand  deposition  stated  earlier  in  the  report.  One  of  these  is 
northeast  of  the  Robinson  No.  1  well  in  the  NW.  cor.  SW.  34  of  SE.  34 
sec.  15,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  It  will  probably  be  advisable  to  locate  a  test  well 
east  and  a  short  distance  north  of  that  well.  The  other  area  recommended 
for  further  prospecting,  as  indicated  by  the  information  at  hand,  is  located 
northeast  of  the  Armstrong  No.  1  well  in  the  NW.  34  SE.  34  sec.  24,  T.  1  N., 
R.  12  W.  Probably  one  test  should  be  drilled  in  that  direction  to  determine 
conditions  there. 


OIL  FIELD  WATER  INVESTIGATIONS 

The  first  systematic  investigation  of  the  geochemical  relations  of  the 
ground  waters  in  the  oil  fields  of  Wabash  County  was  begun  during  the 
summer  of  1924  and  is  still  under  way.  The  State  Water  Survey  has  coop¬ 
erated  with  the  State  Geological  Survey  by  furnishing  water  containers  and 
making  the  mineral  analyses  of  the  water  samples  sent  in.  At  the  present 
time  it  seems  desirable  to  make  a  preliminary  statement  of  results  and  to 
mention  a  few  of  the  problems  which  are  being  considered. 


18 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


General  Results 

Two  general  changes  in  water  character  which  may  be  of  assistance 
later  in  using  waters  for  the  purpose  of  correlation  have  been  observed. 
First,  there  is  a  somewhat  progressive  increase  in  salinity  with  increase  in 
depth  of  the  sand  from  which  the  water  comes.  Although  there  is  consid¬ 
erable  local  variation  in  different  samples  of  water  reported  to  come  from 
the  same  sand,  the  change  in  waters  from  different  depths  is  much  more  pro¬ 
nounced.  These  effects  can  be  seen  by  a  comparison  of  the  salinity  shown 
in  the  graphic  representation  of  the  analyses  (figs.  7  to  12). 


200- foot  sand 


Per  cent 


Fig.  7.  Graphic  analysis  of  water  sample  from  fresh  water  sand  at  a 
depth  of  200  feet  in  the  D.  Wright  water  well  in  the  SE.  cor.  NW.  14  SE.  !4 
sec.  8,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Laboratory  No.  51946.) 


A  second  change  in  water  character  with  depth  which  seems  to  be  fairly 
consistent  is  the  decrease  in  carbonate-bicarbonate  content  in  the  deeper 
waters.  The  contrast  is  greatest  between  the  waters  at  great  depth  and  those 
near  the  surface,  but  even  in  comparing  different  waters  from  deeper 
horizons  it  can  be  observed  to  a  slight  extent. 


Expression  of  Analyses 

Because  of  the  fact  that  equal  weights  of  two  reacting  substances  would 
not  satisfy  the  ability  of  both  to  react,  the  weights  as  determined  in  analysis 
which  have  been  recalculated  to  equivalent  amounts,  or  combining  amounts. 
These  new  numbers  represent  weights  such  that  any  certain  combining 
amount  of  one  substance  will  completely  neutralize  the  same  numerical  com¬ 
bining  amount  of  any  other.  In  this  way,  much  confusion  will  be  avoided 
which  might  otherwise  be  introduced,  due  to  the  difficulty  in  a  proper  com¬ 
parison  of  the  actual  weights  of  the  different  chemical  radicals. 

Further  difficulties  are  introduced  by  the  variation  of  the  concentration 
of  the  brine  to  be  considered.  For  most  purposes,  it  is  essential  to  be  able 
to  recognize  the  quality  of  a  water  as  well  as  to  know  how  concentrated  a 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


19 


solution  it  is.  Accordingly,  the  final  form  of  each  analysis  shows  the  per¬ 
centage  of  reacting  value  of  each  chemical  radical  which  is  present  in  the 
solute,  or  salts  in  solution,  and  the  amount  of  solute  in  the  solution. 

The  complete  data  computed  from  the  analyses  is  given  for  typical  water 
samples  from  the  Buchanan  and  Biehl  sands.  The  analyses  show  the  relation 
of  the  various  substances  present  in  terms  of  milligrams  per  liter  and  per 
cent  reacting  value. 


Table  1. — Analysis  of  typical  water  sample  from  the  Buchanan  sand,  Winters  No.  1 
well  in  the  NW.  fi  SE.  %  sec.  2\,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  Wabash  County 


Constituents  in  milligrams  per  liter 


Hypothetical  combinatio n s 


Na  . 11570. 

K  . 679.2 

Ca  . 638.9 

Mg  . 184.8 

Fe  . 0.2 

AI2O3  . 25.7 

Mn  . 1.4 

NHi  . 12.9 

SOi  . 4856. 

Cl  . 16228. 

N03  . 0.5 

HCO3  . 196. 

SiOa  . 14. 

Total  solids  . 34160. 


KNOa . 

KC1  . 

NaCl  .... 
Na-SOi  . .  . 
(NHO2SO4 
MgSOt  .  . 
CaSOi  ... 
CaC03  ... 
Fe-Os  .... 
MnO  .... 

SiOi>  . 

AI2O3  .... 


. .  .  .8 
.1288.3 
25883. 
.4110.5 
.  .  .46.9 
.  .910.0 
.1892.3 
.  .196.6 
. .  .  .3 

_ 1.8 

.  .  .14.0 
. .  .25.7 


Total  solids 


34370.2 


Reacting  values  in  per  cent 


Alkalies:  rNa  . 44.45 

rK  .  1.53 

NHi  .  2.06 

Alkaline  earths:  rCa .  2.98 

rMg  .  1.33 

Strong  acids:  rSCh .  8.92 

rCl  . 40.51 

rNOa  . 35 

Weak  acids: 

rHCOa  . 35 


Date  analyzed:  May  20,  1925. 


Lab.  No.  52503. 


20 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


Table  2. — Analysis  of  typical  water  sample  from  the  Biehl  sand,  Della  Wright 
ivell  No.  1  in  the  SW.  %  SE.  sec.  8,  T.  1  N..  R.  12  W.,  Wahash  County 

Constituents  in  milligrams  per  liter  Hypothetical  combinations 


Na  . 

K  . 

Ca  . 

Mg  . 

Fe  . 

ALOa  . 

Mn  . 

NHi  . 

SCk  . 

Cl  . 

N03  . 

HCO.3  . 

Si02  . 

Total  solids 


15080. 

.2111. 

.  .428.5 
.  .434.8 
.  .  .  .0.2 

_ 7.7 

.  .  .  .0.0 
.  .  .12.9 
.1718. 
25346. 

.  .  .  .2.5 


.780. 
.  .18. 
4482. 


KNOs 

KC1  .. 

NaCl 

NHiCl 

MgCl2 

MgSOi 

CaSOi 

CaC03 

Fe203 

Si02  .. 

ALO3 


. .  .  .4.0 
.4010.0 
38620.0 
. .  .37.9 
.  .227.2 
.1862.0 
.  .327.5 
.  .830.0 
. .  .  .2 
. .  .18.0 
.  .  .  .7.7 


Total  solids 


45944.5 


Reacting  values  in  per  cent 


Alkalies:  rNa . 42.7 

rK  .  3.51 

Alkaline  earths:  rCa .  1.40 

rMg  .  2.3 

Strong  acids:  rSCh .  2.3 

rCl  . 46.6 

Weak  acids:  rHCOs .  1.0 


Date  analyzed:  April  15,  1925. 


Lab.  No.  52259 


A  later  more  detailed  report  of  water  investigation  will  contain  similar 
data  for  the  analyses  of  a  larger  number  of  samples.  The  available  water 
analyses  of  samples  from  the  Wabash  County  oil  fields  are  shown  in  graphic 
form  in  figures  7  to  12. 

In  the  graphic  representation  of  analyses,  the  per  cent  of  reacting  value 
of  certain  types  of  radicals  is  shown.  For  further  convenience  of  compar¬ 
ison,  the  base  radicals  are  shown  in  the  upper  column  and  the  acid  radicals 
in  the  lower  column,  each  totaling  fifty  per  cent.  The  heavy  line  immed¬ 
iately  above  the  percentage  columns  indicates  the  amount  of  the  mineral 
matter  in  solution  in  terms  of  grams  per  liter. 

Certain  advantages  are  inherent  in  the  use  of  graphical  representations 
of  water  analyses.  In  the  first  place,  the  broad  relations  of  a  large  number 
of  waters  may  be  visualized  readily.  In  the  second  place,  it  is  possible  to 
determine  the  general  composition  and  character  of  the  water  at  a  glance. 

The  groups  of  graphic  analyses  are  so  arranged  that  the  sands  from 
which  the  waters  were  taken  are  the  progressively  deeper  ones.  Therefore, 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


21 


Upper  salt  sand 


Per  cent 

O  lO  20  30  40  60 


7//////////Z 


l  l .  1 

:  ! 

1  1 

W//, 

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 

\  \  \  \  j  |  i  . 

*■  r  "  '  ■  '  "  7  7777  7/7/  7  / 

i 

i 

i 

i 

7  77  77  syss/y 7 77/7 

1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


K  +  Na  +  NFL 


SO 


4 


hco3  +  co3 


Thousands  of  milligrams  per  liter 


Analysis  No. 

Farm  name 

Well  No. 

Section 

Township 

Depth  to 
sand 

Laboratory 

No. 

1 

A.  Biehl 

2 

15 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

Feet 

580 

52079 

2 

Leek 

2 

22 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

525 

52080 

3 

Rogers 

I 

14 

Lawrence  (T.  3  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

620 

52045 

4 

L  eighty 

3 

8 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

691 

52173 

5 

Van  Wright 

1 

13 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

52777 

6 

Ed  Wright 

1 

15 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

580 

52353 

7 

Clara  Adams 

1 

23 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

650 

52260 

8 

S'.  Compton 

1 

12 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

550 

52367 

Fig.  8.  Graphic  analyses  of  water  samples  from  shallow  salt  water  sands  in 
Wabash  and  Lawrence  townships,  Wabash  County. 


22 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


any  changes  which  appear  in  the  comparison  of  the  analyses  in  successive 
groups  are  at  least  partly  due  to  the  increased  depths. 

Certain  relations  between  the  various  sorts  of  chemical  radicals  are 
found  to  be  of  importance  in  distinguishing  the  waters  from  the  various 
geologic  horizons.  In  examining  the  diagrams  of  the  percentages  of  react¬ 
ing  values,  the  following  relations  were  compared:  Alkalies  (Iv  -f-  Na  + 
NH4)  to  chlorides  (Cl),  alkalies  (K  +  Na  +  NH4)  to  strong  acids 
[chloride  (Cl)  plus  sulphate  (S04)],  chlorides  (Cl)  to  sulphates  (S04), 
and  sulphates  (S04)  to  carbonates  (C03)  plus  bicarbonates  (HCCX). 


Per  cent 

O 


10 


Bridgeport  sand 

20  30 


40 


'^v/z/vv/v/vv/v// 


777; 


I )  > ) ) ) )  T  )T ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  T ) ) )  T )  T ) ) ) )  T ) ) )  T  )T f  T ) )  T )  T ) ) ) ) )  )T )  )7I) 


60 

yzyC 


\W\' 

v\\\v 

s\\V 


Ca  +  Mg 


Iv  -j-  Na  -j-  NH4 


Cl 


SO 


4 


HC0s  +  co3 


Thousands  of  milligrams  per  liter 


1 


2 


3 


Analysis  No. 

Farm  name 

Well  No. 

Section 

Township 

Depth  to 
sand 

Laboratory 

No. 

1 

J.  T.  Smith 

l 

17 

Wabash  (T.  1  N..  R.  12  W.) 

Feet 

973-1170 

52017 

2 

Price 

1 

22 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

1125 

51908 

3 

Ed  Wright 

l 

15 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

1150 

52368 

Fig.  9 

.  Graphic 

analyses 

of  water  samples  from  the  Bridgeport  sand. 

Comparison  of  Water  Analyses  from  Various  Horizons 

The  analysis  shown  graphically  in  figure  7  represents  the  character  of 
a  water  in  a  shallow  sand  which  probably  outcrops  under  the  glacial  drift 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  well  from  which  the  sample  was  taken.  There¬ 
fore,  the  character  of  this  water  may  be  interpreted  as  being  due  to  a  mix¬ 
ture  of  a  comparatively  small  amount  of  the  original  brine  with  a  large 
amount  of  surface  water.  Interesting  features  of  this  water  are  its  high 
alkali  and  carbonate  percentage.  The  low  concentration  of  mineral  matter 
in  this  water  indicates  a  considerable  degree  of  dilution  by  surface  waters. 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


23 


Accordingly,  the  high  per  cent  of  carbonate  plus  bicarbonate  and  alkali 
present  is  considered  to  characterize  the  surface  waters  of  the  region. 

The  upper  salt  water  sand  contains  more  concentrated  brines.  These 
are  represented  by  analyses  shown  graphically  in  figure  8.  This  group  of 


Buchanan  sand 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


K  +  Na  +  NH4 


TTT  i  i  i  i  7] 

i  i  i  i  i  i  i 
i  i  i  i  '  •  i 

ild'hhhld 


so4 


hco3  +  co3 


Thousands  of  milligrams  per  liter 


Analysis  No. 

Farm  name 

Well  No. 

Section 

Township 

Depth 
to  sand 

Laboratory 

No. 

1 

Jake  Smith 

5 

22 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

Feet 

1210 

52078 

2 

Newsum 

1 

18 

Friendsville  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

1200 

52147 

3 

Holsen  and  Dorney 

2 

19 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  11  W.) 

1410 

52030 

4 

Winter 

1 

24 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

1200 

52503 

5 

S.  Compton 

1 

12 

Wabash  (T.  1N.,R.  11  W.) 

1280 

52502 

Fig.  1 

0.  Graphic  ana 

lyses  of 

water 

samples  from  the  Bucha 

nan  sands. 

water  samples  is  characterized  by  a  salinity  which  ranges  from  about  7,000 
milligrams  per  liter  to  about  13,500  milligrams  per  liter.  The  alkalies  are 
in  excess  of  the  strong  acids.  The  amount  of  chloride  is  very  considerably 
larger  than  the  sulphate  which  in  no  case  exceeds  1  per  cent  reacting  value 
and  in  most  of  the  waters  is  practically  negligible.  Carbonate  plus  bicarbonate 
is  more  than  five  times  as  great  as  sulphate  and  has  more  than  2  per  cent 
reacting  value. 


24 


ALLENDALE  OIL  FIELD 


F>er  cent 
O 


lO 


Biehl  sand 

20  30 


4  0 


60 


uME 


v// ////  .  V///  ’ y//// 

wmwmmmMmm. 

\  \\\ \\ \ \\ \\ 

))))))))  iliii!!il 

1  1 

1  1 

ij  1 

*  1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1  1 

1  | 

• 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1  1 

1  1 

1  1 

1  1 

/////,  ///  /  //  //  //////////////////  ///////////////////////Z/////////////////////////'^''^' ~- 

/////////', _ . _ ///////a  ■///////.  //////////////////////////////////^  >  i :  > 

')))))))))))))))>; 

)))))))))); 

)))))))))))ii 

1 

1 

' 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

!  i 

wmmmmmm mm. 

1 

1 

1 

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!  i 

1  ' 

1  1 

o) )))))  ))  ))))  )  )  )  )  )  ))  )  )): 

)))))))))> 

1 

1 

1 

1  • 

1  1 

1  1 

1  r 

1  l 

mmrmmmmmmm 

mm 

JEiiliiiM 

1  1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

I  1 

1  1 

1 

1 

y  n  )  mim 

wmwwmmj. 

1 

l  1 

1  | 

1 

1 

1 

1 

l 

1 

1 

1 

, - ////// ✓  ///a /j' / /// / ///////////7//7////////////7/7////////////7//^/////////////////7//a v" vx x  \. \ 

wmmwww 

1  1 

Iv  Na  NH4 
Cl 

Ca  +  Mg 
S04 

HC03  +  C03 

Thousands  of 
milligrams  per  liter 


10 


[/  /'///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////^ 

V,  ///////////  ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////  //////////a^^^  1  1 

i))yymynynmmi)»hi)))))))))))))))))))))))))))): 

JIM 

111 

1 

i 

1 

1  1  1 

1  1 

1  1 

! 

wmmmmmmmmm 

WWW'  1  0 

) ) ))))  ))) )) )), 

,  .  J.  1  • 1  '  *  1 

. <§ 

1  1  •  1  1  I  1= 

Fig.  11.  Graphic  analyses  of  water  samples  from  the  Biehl  sand. 


ALLEXDALE  OIL  FIELD 


25 


The  waters  of  the  Bridgeport  sand,  represented  by  graphic  analyses  in 
figure  9  are  easily  distinguished  from  the  preceding  groups  on  the  basis  of 
both  concentration  and  composition.  The  salinity  appears  to  average  about 
30,000  milligrams  per  liter,  a  marked  increase  from  the  waters  above.  The 
decrease  in  the  importance  of  carbonates  and  bicarbonates  is  a  very  striking 
feature  of  these  analyses.  A  general  increase  of  sulphate  in  proportion  to 
both  chloride  and  carbonate  is  noticeable.  In  these  waters,  the  alkalies  are 
less  than  the  strong  acids,  and  the  proportion  of  earths  is  greater  than  in 
the  higher  waters. 

Graphic  analyses  shown  in  figure  10  represent  samples  from  the 
Buchanan  sand.  The  salinity  in  general  is  higher  in  these  samples  than  in 
the  ones  from  the  higher  sands,  but  not  in  all  cases;  it  seems  to  average  about 
33,000  milligrams  per  liter.  In  general,  the  water  from  the  Buchanan  sand 
appears  to  contain  a  higher  percentage  of  alkalies  than  that  from  the  Bridge¬ 
port  sand.  The  number  of  analyses  is  insufficient  to  justify  a  statement 
fhat  diagnostic  characteristics  have  been  determined  which  will  always 
differentiate  these  waters,  for  they  are  very  similar.  However,  the  water 
from  the  Buchanan  sand,  because  of  its  higher  concentration,  can  be  dis¬ 
tinguished  from  that  of  the  sands  above  the  Bridgeport  without  difficulty. 

The  character  of  the  water  from  the  Biehl  sand  (fig.  11)  shows  con¬ 
siderable  variation.  The  average  concentration  of  these  waters  is  still 
higher  than  that  of  the  waters  in  the  overlying  sands,  appearing  to  be  about 
38,000  milligrams  per  liter.  A  larger  number  of  analyses  of  waters  from 
the  Biehl  sand  is  available  than  for  any  of  the  other  sands.  As  a  result  of 
this  more  detailed  information,  it  has  been  possible  to  conclude  that  although 
there  is  as  great  a  variation  in  the  composition  of  the  waters  from  various 
parts  of  the  field  as  is  the  case  for  any  of  the  other  waters,  the  character  of 
the  water  in  any  particular  locality  is  closely  similar.  Therefore,  although 
the  water  in  the  Biehl  sand  is  generally  similar  to  water  in  the  Buchanan 
sand,  there  should  be  little  trouble  in  detecting  mixed  waters  if  the  char¬ 
acter  of  the  water  in  the  Biehl  is  known  in  a  certain  locality. 


Legend  for  figure  11. 


Analvsis 

No. 

Farm  name 

Well 

No. 

Section 

Township 

Depth 

Remarks 

Laboratory 

No. 

1 

Cozine 

1 

16 

Wabash  (T.  1  X.,  R.  12  W.) 

1512 

51945 

2 

Price 

1 

22 

Wabash  (T.  1  X..  R.  12  W.) 

1464 

With  oil 

52197 

3 

A.  Biehl 

1 

15 

Wabash  (T.  1N..R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52149 

4 

Jake  Smith 

1 

22 

Wabash  (T.  1  N..  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52148 

5 

Ed  Sknith 

4 

9 

Wabash  (T.  1  N..  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52370 

6 

Ed  Sinith 

2 

9 

Wabash  (T.  1  N..  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52369 

7 

M.  U.  Litherland 

4 

4 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52266 

8 

G.  P.  Smith 

3 

5 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.j 

With  oil 

52267 

9 

Caroline  Smith 

3 

9 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.j 

With  oil 

52354 

10 

Della  Wright 

1 

8 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52259 

11 

Caroline  Smith 

1 

9 

Wabash  (T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52356 

12 

Lutz 

1 

8 

Friendsville  (T.  1  X.,  R.  12  W.) 

With  oil 

52265 

26 


ALLEXDALE  OIL  FIELD 


A  similarity  of  composition  in  waters  from  the  Biehl  sand  would  seem 
to  indicate  continuity  of  the  sand  between  the  wells  sampled.  If  this  theory 
is  correct,  the  Biehl  sand  found  in  the  wells  on  the  Della  A  right  lease  in  the 
SE.  14  sec.  8,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.,  is  connected  with  the  sand  which  yields  the 
oil  on  the  M.  U.  Litherland  and  G.  D.  Smith  leases  to  the  north  in  the  S.  R? 
of  sec.  5,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W. ;  and  not  to  the  sand  producing  in  the  wells  to 
the  east  in  sec.  9,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  On  that  basis,  further  prospecting 
should  find  the  sand  between  the  A  right  and  Litherland  leases. 

Only  one  sample  (fig.  12)  has  been  obtained  from  sands  below  the  Biehl 
in  Arabash  County.  This  water  shows  a  very  high  salinity  and  a  further 
decrease  in  percentage  of  alkalies. 

Additional  sampling  and  greater  attention  to  detailed  comparisons  of 
analyses  should  result  in  establishing  criteria  which  will  permit  the  differ¬ 
entiation  of  the  waters  on  the  basis  of  their  chemical  composition  and  should 
prove  very  useful  in  determining  the  source  of  water  which  is  not  coming 
from  an  oil  sand  and  which  may  be  spoiling  a  well. 


Lower  Chester  sand 


Per  cent 

O 

10  20 

30 

40 

50 

//////////////////////''''' 

])))))))))) 

Wmwm 

))))))))) 

)))))))))))))))) 

+  Xa  +  XH4 


ri  i  m  ,  1 7i 
il  I  I  i  I  ■! 
i  i  i  I  i  i  II 
I  l  ji  iji  i 


so4 


C£ 


Mar 


HC03+  CO3 


Thousands  of  milligrams  per  liter 


Fig.  12.  Graphic  analysis  of  water  sample  from  deep  Chester  sand  in  the 
Otis  Matheny  No.  2  well  in  sec.  18,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Laboratory  No.  52779) 

It  further  seems  possible  that  more  detailed  investigations  will  establish 
a  relation  between  the  character  of  the  water  and  the  structural  features 
present.  If  this  can  be  done,  the  water  investigations  will  be  a  great  aid  to 
locating  new  pools.  The  investigation  of  the  effect  of  oil  on  the  mineral 
character  of  the  water  with  which  it  has  associated  may  possibly  provide  an 
aid  in  determining  the  relative  proximity  of  an  oil  pool  to  a  well  which  pro¬ 
duces  water.  Other  problems  will  probably  develop  during  the  course  of 
the  investigation. 

COOPERATION  WITH  THE  ILLINOIS  STATE 

GEOLOGIC  SURVEY 


It  is  the  hope  of  the  Illinois  State  Geological  Survey  that  the  operators 
of  the  Allendale  field  will  continue  to  cooperate  in  the  matter  of  keeping 
careful  records  and  samples  of  drill  cuttings  as  they  have  done  in  the  past. 


ALLEXDALE  OIL  FIELD 


27 


The  past  cooperation  of  the  oil  field  operators  in  taking  water  samples  also 
has  been  greatly  appreciated,  and  it  is  very  desirable  that  the  cooperation  be 
continued  so  that  more  complete,  definite,  and  valuable  conclusions  can  be 
reached.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  after  the  publication  of  the  Press 
Bulletin6  on  the  Allendale  field,  the  percentage  of  dry  holes  was  reduced 
greatly  below  what  it  had  been  in  the  preceding  year.  If  a  similar  improve¬ 
ment  in  the  results  of  drilling  follows  the  publication  of  other  reports,  the 
scientific  effort  and  financial  investment  made  by  the  State  will  be  further 
encouraged. 

6  Colling-wood,  D.  M.,  Extension  of  the  Allendale  oil  field:  Ill.  State  Geol.  Survey 
Press  Bulletin,  May  17,  1924. 


0 


200 

300 

400 

600 

600 

700 

800 

900 

1000 

1100- 

1200 

1300- 

1400 

1500 

1600 

1700 

1800 

1900 1 

2000 

2100 


REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7,  PLATE  I 


Contour*  hIiowIiik  tin-  elevation  of  the  top 
of  the  cup-rock  of  the  Diehl  *un<! 


- -1250  —  —  —  Inferred 

Depression 


+  >v.  K.  13  W.  A  R.  13  W. 

Map  of  the  Allendale  area  showing  structure  of  the  top  of  the  cap-rock  of  the  Biehl  sand,  locations  of  some  of  the  holes  drilled,  producing  areas,  and  areas  considered  favorable  for  prospecting. 


7? 


(r  r 


H 

< 

•J 

Ph 


00 


r 


WM!) 

MM 


Iff 

li 


i 


it 


rl 

m 


23 


tone  |§  Shale  £■]  Silty  sandstone 


REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7,  PLATE  III 


- 24  — 


L 1050 


9. 

Higgens  No.  1 

Sec.  23 

10. 

Price  No.  1 

Sec.  23 

11. 

Courter  No.  3 

NE.  y4  SE.  y4  sec. 

23 

12. 

Courter  No.  2 

NE.  y4  SE.  y4  sec. 

23 

13. 

Clara  Armstrong 

SW.  cor.  NW.  y4  sec. 

14. 

C.  E.  Courter  No. 

1 

NW.  %  SW.  y4  sec.  24 

15. 

Winter  No.  1 

NE.  y4  SW.  y4  sec 

.  24 

16. 

H.  Armstrong 

NW.  %  SE.  %  sec, 

.  24 

12  W.  (Wabash  Twp.)  showing  the  variations  in  sand  conditions  and  structure. 

X'Tf  7.  73 


H 


-7 


c  '3 


si 

\A  » 


J 


line  A-B  on  Plate 


ILLINOIS  STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 


REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7,  PLATE  III 


L-  22 . -  -  -  - 

L - - : - - - 1 

r 

24 

1.  J.  Smith  No.  1 

9. 

Higgens  No.  1 

NW.  Yt  NW.  %  sec.  22 

Sec.  23 

3.  J.  Smith  No. 2 

10. 

Price  No.  1 

NW.  Yt  NW.  %  sec.  22 

Sec.  23 

3.  ,T.  Smith  No.  3 

11. 

Courier  No.  3 

NE.  %  NW.  Yk  sec.  22 

NE.  %  SE.  %  sec.  23 

4.  J.  Smith  No.  4 

12. 

Courier  No.  2 

NE.  Y\  NW.  %  sec.  22 

NE.  %  SE.  Yk  sec.  23 

5.  J.  Smith  No.  5 

13. 

Clara  Armstrong 

NW.  %  sec.  22 

SW.  cor.  NW.  Yk  sec.  24 

0.  Leek  No.  2 

14. 

C.  E.  Courier  No.  1 

NE.  *4  sec.  22 

NW.  Yk  SW.  Yk  sec.  24 

7.  Leek  No.  3 

15. 

Winter  No.  1 

NE.  %  NW.  %  NE.  %  sec.  22 

NE.  Yk  SW.  Yk  sec.  24 

8.  Price  No.  1 

16. 

H.  Armstrong 

Sec.  22 

NW.  Yk  SE.  Yk  sec.  24 

Cross  section  of  the  producing  zone  across  secs.  22,  23,  and  24,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W.  (Wabash  Twp.)  showing  the  variations  in  sand  conditions  and  structure. 

7. / 


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REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7,  PLATE  IV 


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iiae  A-B  oil  Plate 


Elevation  in  feet  with  reference  to  sea  level 


ILLINIOS  STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 


REPORT  OF  INVESTIGATIONS  NO.  7,  PLATE  IV 


-COO  9  lO  11  12  13  14  15  16  17 


B  Section  along  line  C-D  on  Plate  I 


1.  S.  G.  Reel,  No.  1 

SW.  Vi  SW.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  25,  T.  1  S..  R.  13  W. 

2.  Ezra  Risley 

Center  of  SW.  Vi  NE.  Vi  see.  11,  T.  1  S„  R.  13  W. 

3.  Paul  Newkirk,  No.  1 

SW.  cor.  SE.  Vi  NE.  Vi  sec.  36,  T.  1  N„  R.  13  W. 

4.  Otis  Matheiiy,  No.  2 

NW.  cor.  SW.  Vi  sec.  18,  T.  1  N„  R.  12  W. 

5.  E.  H.  Pixley,  No.  1 

SW.  cor.  SE.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  7,  T.  1  N..  R.  12  W. 

6.  J.  L.  Lutz.  No.  1 

NE.  cor.  NW.  Vi  sec.  8,  T.  1  N..  R.  12  W. 

7.  W.  J.  Schick,  No.  1 

SW.  cor.  NW.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  5,  T.  1  N..  R.  12  W. 

8.  W.  A.  Andrews,  No.  1 

SW.  cor.  SE.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  32,  T.  2  N„  R.  12  W. 


Sections  showing  structure  and  rock  changes  in  Chester  beds  as  determined  from 


9.  McGregor,  No.  1 

NW.  cor.  sec.  4,  T.  1  S.,  R.  13  W. 

10.  Dr.  Couch,  No.  1 

SE.  cor.  sec.  23.  T.  1  N„  R.  13  W. 

11.  S.  A.  Zeigler,  No.  3 

NW.  Vi  SE.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  13,  T.  1  N..  R.  13  W. 

12.  Otis  Matheny,  No.  2 

NW.  Vi  SW.  Vi  sec.  18,  T.  1  N„  R.  12  W. 

13.  Della  Wright,  No.  1 

SW.  Vi  NW.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  8.  T.  1  N..  R.  12  W. 

14.  Ed  Smith,  No.  8 

NE.  cor.  sec.  9,  T.  1  N.,  R.  12  W. 

15.  Lucy  Courier,  No.  14 

SE.  cor.  NW.  Vi  SE.  Vi  NW.  Vi  sec.  3,  T.  1  N  .  R.  12  W. 

15.  Jim  Cogan,  No.  1 

SE.  cor.  NW.  Vi  sec.  35,  T.  2  N..  R.  12  W. 

17.  Josiah  Barthelmy 

SE.  cor.  NW.  Vi  SE.  Vi  sec.  26.  T.  2  N..  R.  12  W. 

borings  along  the  section  lines  A-B  and  C  D  indicated  on  Plate  I.  For  legend,  see  Plate  II 


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